Head of Auckland daycare speaks after tragic death of Aldrich Viju

Two qualified teachers were supervising the seven children playing outside at Takapuna's Angels Daycare the day when Aldrich Viju died, manager Bryan McCloughen said today. Photo / Chris Loufte

The manager of the Auckland daycare centre where a 4-year-old died recently says teachers were supervising the playground when the "tragic accident" happened.

Aldrich Viju's parents were seeking answers to questions about how their son died, the Herald reported yesterday.

These questions included whether or not a teacher was monitoring the playground area at the time of the November 19 accident.

Family spokesperson Joseph Devasia yesterday told the Herald when Aldrich's parents, Viju Vareed and Gisha Viju, asked the centre's staff directly whether there had been a teacher monitoring the playground area when the accident happened, they were met with silence.

"They didn't have any answer,'' Devasia said.

Aldrich Viju's parents, Viju Vareed and Gisha Viju, said through a spokesman yesterday that they were met with silence when they demanded answers about how their son died. Photo / Supplied

But Angels Daycare manager Bryan McCloughen today said two qualified teachers were supervising the seven children playing outside when Aldrich died.

"The Ministry of Education ratio is one adult to every 10 children.

"Both teachers were trained in first aid, including CPR, and every effort was made to resuscitate Aldrich while the emergency services were on their way."

Angels had provided Aldrich's parents with information about what happened, the supervision of the area and the actions staff took to try to resuscitate him, McCloughen said.

"The safety and wellbeing of the children in our care is always our top priority. We have strict policies and procedures in place and these are always adhered to."

The centre would not publicly release further information about the accident until the Coroner's office and Worksafe New Zealand finished investigating, he said.

Angels has set up a Givealittle page to fund Aldrich's family's travel costs and allow them to grieve their boy without worrying about finances.

Anyone who wants to donate can do so here.